Everything we know about Mass Effect: Andromeda so far

After BioWare’s cult video game trilogy Mass Effect had blown gamers away with its epic storyline, memorable characters and intense gameplay, we have been waiting for something new set in the same universe, even if it meant Shepard would no longer be with us. Upon the company’s announcement that a new Mass Effect game entitled Andromeda would be coming out, the fans have eagerly been waiting for any news surrounding this yet mysterious installment in the franchise. Here’s the known information we have compiled about the game so far.

1] TWO NEW RACES WILL BE INTRODUCED

While we will see the return of the Asari, the Krogan and other beloved races, two new major races will also make an appearance in the game. Back in 2013, select fans were given an exclusive preview of the game, and it has been reported that one race will be “aggressive”, and the other resembling a more peaceful, “ancient guardian” race. The two new races have been named the Khet and the Remnant.

2] THE MAIN HERO WILL BE THE PATHFINDER ON A SHIP CALLED THE TEMPEST

The game will introduce the new Andromeda galaxy, situated 2.5 million light years away from the Milky Way. A leak done over a year ago says, “you are a pathfinder, a combat trained but un-tested explorer leading an expedition into the Helius cluster to establish a new home for humanity. As you explore this sprawling series of solar systems (over 4x the size of Mass Effect 3), collecting resources and building colonies, you will encounter the savagery of untamed lands in the form of cut-throat outlaws and warring alien races.” The description is still pretty vague and does not give out much, but we can expect some classic Mass Effect action. However, the developers have clearly stated that the game is NOT, in fact, Mass Effect 4, but is a new game set in the Mass Effect universe, and will feature an entirely new story.

The main character, who will again be able to be a male or a female, will be called Ryder, and it has been revealed that the two characters would in fact be siblings, which means that the male and the female versions of the main character will exist in the game simultaneously, although it is not known how exactly will interact or how it will be handled. The player will be able to choose the first name of their character, just as before.

The female version of the main character.

3] MAKO IS BACK!

That’s right, the biggest frustration of the first game will make a comeback in Andromeda, although we can only hope that the controls will be at least a tad easier than before. However, Mako will only be used for travelling and not for combat. Besides Mako, we can expect to see other modes of transport, such as jetpacks.

4] WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD

Unlike in the previous games, where the player operated within preset maps, Andromeda will feature an open world that we will be able to explore freely. As BioWare have stated, “A big open world is the big thing the team is trying to embrace, and that’s expressed through those amazing looking planets”. We can expect to explore a large number of unique-looking open planets.

There will also be an area similar to the original trilogy’s Citadel, which will house the exploring human race. It can be assumed that the area will serve as the main hub of commerce and mission starts.

5] IT WILL USE THE FROSTBITE 3 ENGINE

Much like Dragon Age: Inquisition before it, Andromeda will employ DICE’s Frostbite 3 graphics engine, the extent of which can be seen in the gameplay video below.

6] THE GAMEPLAY WILL SEE SOME REVAMP

It has been reported that the developers are working on a revised choice system for the game, and it means that the Paragon and Renegade options are gone. New romances are expected to be implemented as well. It is not known who the player will be able to romance yet, but from the trailers we have seen that the new crew will feature a human, a an asari, a krogan (reportedly named Drack) and a salarian. The achievement and trophy system is also being worked on.

The game will feature “Active Strike Team” missions that will introduce multiplayer missions to the players. “Deployed Strike Team” missions, meanwhile, will work similarly to the War Table missions of Dragon Age: Inquisition, where players will gather resources, then send them in real time to secure areas of the game.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is set to be released in quarter 1 of 2017 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.